Paul Abbandonato talks to Wales No1 Paul Jones about his shock move to the Anfield giants

Paul Abbandonato talks to Wales No1 Paul Jones about his shock move to the Anfield giants

WALES goalkeeper Paul Jones last night spoke of how Gerard Houllier has rebuilt his shattered confidence by signing him for Liverpool.

The Wales No 1, an outcast at Southampton, goes straight into Houllier's line-up for today's Anfield clash with Aston Villa following his shock move to Anfield on a month's loan.

Jones turned down the opportunity to join two Premiership teams on a full-time basis, Portsmouth and Wolves, to opt for the short-term option of four weeks at Liverpool instead.

But, even though he will go back to Southampton's reserves at the end of the loan spell, Jones maintains it is a gamble he had to take.

He explained how the fact that Reds boss Houllier wants him to play for a club Jones describes as 'one of the biggest in the world' comes as perfect timing for his self-esteem.

Jones has spent the last two months in the wilderness after Southampton manager Gordon Strachan told him Antti Niemi was his first choice keeper.

"It's been very tough for me, knowing that whatever I do, I'm not going to be picked," said Jones.

"The key was always going to be this month when the Premiership transfer window re-opened.

"I need to play first team football, and preferably in the Premiership, for the sake of my Wales career.

"And the big question was how many out of 19 Premiership managers would want me? I say 19, because I already knew what the 20th (Strachan) thinks.

"Luckily, opportunities did start to come my way. Portsmouth had been mentioned to me and I could have gone there for a couple of years.

"But suddenly, right out of the blue, I got a call from Gordon Strachan after training yesterday to say Gerard Houllier had been in touch.

"Gordon said, 'Do you fancy it?' It took me about five seconds to decide!

"It may only be for a month, but it is something I couldn't turn down. I would have kicked myself if I didn't give it a go at Liverpool.

"Hey, we're talking here about one of the biggest clubs in the world, steeped in history.

"Southampton may not want me, but the fact a club of Liverpool's stature do comes as a huge boost to your confidence.

"I accept that being here during January means I miss out on the chance of a full-time move elsewhere.

"But if I do okay for Liverpool, hopefully in the summer people will have taken notice of me and maybe something can happen then."

Jones went on, "I have played in front of the Kop for Southampton and, of course, even Wales when we met Italy a few years ago.

"I'm not just saying this, but there really is nowhere better to play."

He smiled, "And it will be great to have 40,000 shouting for me - and not against me!"

Houllier made his out-of-the-blue move for Jones to solve an injury crisis caused by the loss of Chris Kirkland and Jerzy Dudek.

And for Jones, the timing could not have been better.

He is still struggling to come to terms with Strachan's decision to demote him to No 2, after he had gone 500 minutes without conceding a goal and put on man-of-the-match displays for Southampton earlier in the season.

And, while he has been stuck in his club's reserve side, his form for Wales when he has played for Mark Hughes' men has been scintillating.

"I've been pleased with my form for club and country the whole season," said Jones.

"As such, what happened at Southampton hurt. I'm glad I didn't speak to anyone in the media when Gordon told me of his decision because I might have regretted what I said at the time.

"I appreciate only one goalkeeper can play, but previously Gordon had told Antti and myself that whoever did the business in goal would be picked for the next game.

"I don't see what more I could have done than going 500 odd minutes without letting a shot past me.

"We were unbeaten for eight games, it was our best start to a Premiership season.

"But managers make decisions and Gordon made his. I can't repeat what I said to him. It was a behind-closed-doors conversation and will remain that way. But I made it clear I didn't agree with his decision.

" I realised that no matter what I did from there on in, Antti would be picked the moment he was fit.

"That said, perhaps it's better to know exactly where you stand about something than to be kept dangling on a string."

Explaining how the short-term move to Liverpool can be the perfect boost to his Wales career, Jones said, "It puts me back in the spotlight, which is important with the year we've got coming up at international level.

"Mark Hughes has been great to me, telling me I'm his No1 choice.

"But I appreciate that it could have been difficult for him to pick me if I wasn't getting regular first-team football.

"I'm not saying that will happen with Liverpool, necessarily.

"But I seem to have more of a chance here than I've had with Southampton recently."

Drooling at the prospect of lining up next to Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard in front of the Kop, Jones said, "This move is a dream come true for me.

"I've always been a Liverpool fan, grew up in nearby Shropshire and always used to watch Liverpool on television in their heyday.

"So, whether I play one game, two matches or whatever, I am just relishing the chance to play a part up here.

"The club are aiming for fourth place in the Premiership and a Champions League spot.

"If I can do a small bit in helping them achieve that, then I will be delighted.

"And if being back in the shop window with one of the world's biggest clubs can clinch me a full-time move elsewhere this summer, then that's great too."